Forever Green Member - 157

Forever Green Icon - Class of 2024

The story of Jack Leslie, prior to recent years, was a forgotten, sorry tale of football.

Thanks to the efforts of the Jack Leslie Campaign, light has been shone on Jack’s tale, which is one of a hugely talented young man in the 1920s, who was highly thought of enough to be considered for selection for the England national team, but who was denied an international cap because he happened to be black.

After word spread of this travesty, Leslie has, in recent years, been acknowledged by the Football Association, who awarded Jack’s family with an honorary England cap. Outside of Home Park, there is now a statue to a man who played an integral part of Argyle throughout the 1920s and beyond.

Leslie played exactly 400 games for Argyle, making him the tenth highest appearance-maker ever for Argyle. He scored 137 goals, a number bettered by only three players in the club’s history. He was a versatile attacking player, but most often played as an inside-left, forming a formidable partnership with Sammy Black.